Drew a muzzloader tag for unit 61 ,near me, for a bull this year. Only the second time I have drawn unit 61, the first time was for cow elk (skunked, only because I missed).
Went last Saturday, and came on a bear hunter coming from my "honey hole". He said he heard a bunch of noise, but didn't see anything. Tuesday, I went to another spot that my neighbor recommended. Saw a flock of turkeys, and a couple of groups of mule deer, but no elk, nor any signs of them. Talked with the neighbor again and we both figured it was too warm and the elk would probably be at higher altitude. Told me of a couple of good areas, which would turn out to be an understatement.
Yesterday, went ot one of these spots and started climbing. Saw some droppings that looked only a few hours old. Kept going up. Stopped for a snack and drink, spooked a nice buck, but no elk. Was in oak brush and only could see about 100 ft. Was going to climb to a stand of aspen in the distance. After about two hours of climbing, I heard bugleing. Thought it was another hunter, but soon heard four bulls. Kept climbing, but they did it also, and could climb faster than this old fat boy could climb. Probably got within 100 yds of them, but couldn't see them. Finally made it to 9000 ft. in the aspens , and pooped out and decided to go back to the truck(hurt foot).
Went down the edge of the oak brush, near the aspens, taking my time as it is beautiful country. At one stop, I heard a bull let loose about 100yds into the aspen. I went to the edge of the aspen and saw what I thought were cow elk bedded down. Pulled out the bino's and sure enough, saw a couple of cow elk. Stayed for about 15 min. and then notice they were leaving, might have seen me. Saw some antlers going the same way, over a small ridge (only antlers). Heard another bull call downhill, so went into the aspen about 100 ft and thought I might catch the second bull heading uphill.
Next thing I knew, #1 bull that went with the cows ,came back downhill. Trees were kind of thick and couldn't get a shot. Nerves didn't help, as I was shaking pretty good. Almost got a shot, but elk moved as I was squeezing the trigger, so eased off the pressure. Saw the bull was moving left, towards an opening about 3 ft wide, so aimed at that opening. Bull just wandered into the opening and stopped momentarily. My nerves had settled down a bit, so aimed about 1/3 of the way up,just behind the front shoulder. At the shot, he walked about 10ft and looked around. First thing I thought was, I MISSED!!! Grabbed a quickloader out and started reloading. Hard when you are shaking a bit. Got the powder in and started the bullet. Pulled out the ramrod and seated the bullet, using an aspen for a bit of umph. Replaced ramrod, and grabbed capper. Capped the nipple (heard a noise, thought it was the elk crashing through woods as he had seen me), and looked up and didn't see him. Knew he was gone and I missed my chance. How could I have missed at 75 yards!!!. Walked over to where he was standing and guessed he might have gone downhill. Started walking and found him about 40 ft away. Hit him high midline, quartering away. Bullet must have just torn up the upper part of the lungs (348gr HP @ 1550fps---220 gr recovered)
Had to call the neighbor to help me pack it out. Listening to elk bugleing all the time! Finally made it to the truck after dark, and got home at 11pm. Nice 5 X 5 for my first bull elk.
